They’ll Take ‘Manhattan’--If It’s In

All of a sudden, Woody Allen’s 1979 movie “Manhattan” is a hot rental in the home-video market.

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The reason is obvious. His affair with Mia Farrow’s adopted daughter is the biggest entertainment-industry scandal--and the favorite gossip topic--since Pee-wee Herman creator Paul Reubens’ arrest last summer. The “Manhattan” tale, to some degree, mirrors Allen’s current trauma.

He stars as a comedy writer having an affair with a high school girl, played by Mariel Hemingway (she got an Academy Award nomination as best supporting actress). The plot thickens when he dumps his teen-age flame in favor of a neurotic writer (Diane Keaton).

“People see this movie as a perverse case of life imitating art,” said a clerk in a New York video store that had a waiting list for its six copies of the movie. “Besides, it’s considered one of his best movies.”

A waiting list for “Manhattan” is apparently commonplace. A spot check of stores in big cities around the country indicated that retailers haven’t been able to keep it in stock this week.

All said there was no unusual demand for the film prior to the scandal. The retailers said that there was no particular surge of interest in any of the other Allen movies--even those co-starring Farrow.

Earthquake Unpreparedness: It’s strange that in a state where earthquakes are such a constant threat, you can’t walk into any video store and easily find a tape explaining earthquake preparedness.

You’d think stores would have displays full of tapes dealing with this issue--but they don’t. The big problem is that there are hardly any on the market. The one that you’re most likely to see in stores is the informative, hourlong “Earthquake Survival,” hosted by Shelley Duvall, a $20 video released in 1988 by Hollywood Family Entertainment.

Of 10 stores checked in this area, only three had it in stock. One reason is that video retailers deal primarily in movie rentals, so most have only small sections for non-theatrical titles and only stock up on titles that people are interested in. Apparently interest in this vital subject isn’t very high.

But if you’re looking for a good earthquake survival tape and can’t find “Earthquake Survival,” you can order the excellent “Surviving the Big One: How to Prepare for a Major Earthquake,” which answers just about any question you’d have on the subject. The one-hour, 1989 program, made by public-TV station KCET, is available for $30 by mail order through PBS Video. Phone (800) 344-3337.

Upcoming on video: “The Lawnmover Man,” “Blame It on the Bellboy” and “Final Analysis” (Wednesday), “American Me” (Thursday), “The Mambo Kings” and “Radio Flyer” (Sept. 2), “Ladybugs” (Sept. 3), “Mississippi Masala” and “White Sands” (Sept. 9), “The Rescuers” (Sept. 18), “Beethoven” and “My Cousin Vinny” (Oct. 1).

What’s New on Video: New releases include:

“White Men Can’t Jump” (FoxVideo , $95). Often hilarious buddy comedy about an interracial duo (Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson) whose livelihood is playing in L.A. playground basketball games for money. Rosie Perez’s performance as the girlfriend of the Harrelson character turned her into a hot commodity.

“Fried Green Tomatoes” (MCA/Universal, no set price). Absorbing, complex drama that’s basically a female buddy movie, weaving together two tales from different eras. One story told in flashback deals with two female friends (Mary Stuart Masterson and Mary-Louise Parker) who eventually open a cafe together. In the present-day subplot, a friendship with an old woman (Jessica Tandy) invigorates a meek housewife (Kathy Bates).

“Memoirs of an Invisible Man” (Warner, $95). A lame comedy, starring Chevy Chase as a securities analyst who accidentally becomes invisible. Daryl Hannah plays his understanding girlfriend and Sam Neill co-stars as the CIA agent desperately trying to track down the invisible man.

“Medicine Man” (Hollywood, $95). Sparks don’t fly between stars Sean Connery and Lorraine Bracco in this unexciting rain-forest adventure about a doctor who’s seeking a cure for cancer in the Amazon while romancing his research assistant.

On Laser Disc: The Criterion edition of “The Prince of Tides” that was supposed to be released Thursday isn’t out and no new release date has been set.

Just out: “Bugsy,” “Grand Canyon,” “Wayne’s World” and “Life Is Sweet.”

Also:

“The Defiant Ones” (MGM/UA, 1958, $35). Race relations, ‘50s style. Gripping tale (a parable, actually) of escaped prisoners--one black (Sidney Poiter) and one white (Tony Curtis)--shackled together and on the run in the South, forced to learn racial tolerance.

“The Blue Angel” (Image, 1930, $50). There are both German and English versions of director Josef von Sternberg’s dated but fascinating classic about a prim teacher (Emil Jannings) who becomes obsessed with an exotic cabaret singer, played by Marlene Dietrich. This is the role that made her a star.